DAY 6

Wednesday, May 6

FRASER,

It’s been an exhausting but extraordinary week. In certain aspects we have achieved more than we thought we would before we began, but unfortunately the weather was against us for some of the stuff we wanted to do. That’s nature for you – there’s nothing you can do about it.

I feel we have achieved more on the therapeutic side this time. The whole experience seems to have had a greater beneficial effect for more and more of the participants.

Dominic has certainly exceeded our expectations. We have achieved more with his independence and muscle movement than I had hoped for.

With Matt and Steve on board at Deptherapy, they will know what to do in future and the experience they have gained will be invaluable. Their commitment is central to our future.

It was always our goal to get Brits here as we knew they would gel. The camaraderie between the two groups has been phenomenal, and now that we have shown what we can do, hopefully back in Britain, the Deptherapy Foundation won’t be up against the sort of red tape nonsense we have previously experienced.

The welcome we receive from the people here in the Keys is always fantastic and each time they seem to outdo themselves. They are so willing to support us in all that we do, and seemingly there is a list of people standing by who want to help in future.

There were a few issues which cropped up over the last couple of days which will be resolved for the next trip, basically cutting down on the number of events because the guys need more time to rest.

As this is the last blog of the trip, I want to thank everyone who has helped. If I leave anyone out, please forgive me but it’s late at night and I’ll put any errors right tomorrow.

Firstly, the Eagle Divers and Wounded Warriors organisations – what can I say about them that would be adequate to describe the magnificence of their efforts? The challenge for them of bringing the men and women down here has been tackled and met once again, and I am sure it will be met again in future.

The highlight of the events off the water was probably the parade last Saturday. It went fantastically well, with quite an amazing turnout by the people of the Florida Keys. To see more than a hundred folk from a retirement home come out in support of the troops in decorated golf carts was simply stunning.

All the other events went very well, and I was delighted to see the Quilter’s Guild ladies making quilts for the British guys as well as their own American veterans. They must have put in a lot of work on the quilts and pillows which were all beautiful.

The cook-outs at the Shockley and Vihlen homes will live long in the memory, and I know the American and British contingents appreciated the welcome there and at the Elk’s Lodge and VFW.

Throughout the week, the support of Ocean Divers, especially Doc, Kenny and Connie, who has kept everything together, along with the boat crews, has been wonderful again. We simply couldn’t do without them.

There are no words of praise high enough for Rib Daddy’s and Kountry Kitchen. Bob’s support goes much further than feeding us, and we are all truly grateful to everyone involved for what they have done for us.

The Islander Hotel has been a home from home for most of the crew and the support of the owners and staff is crucial.

All the other venues, which I think I have named, have been brilliant.

Oceanic’s support in terms of equipment has been quite outstanding, and the Deptherapy Foundation is looking forward to working with them in future.

I’m sure we will never forget the sight of the Pegasus Thruster propelling Dom around. To Dean Vitale and everyone there go our thanks and best wishes for the future of this remarkable invention.

I must thank Deptherapy’s sponsors such as Virgin Atlantic, who provided the flights; Ford, who helped me get transport at this end; Breitling, who have been a constant support from the outset; Colin Usher, who set up this blog; they have all been generous to a fault.

A special word of thanks for the Center for Independent Living of the Florida Keys for the use of their special bus. The bus also came with a very special guy, Terry, its driver, and we cannot thank him enough for the hours he had put in and the commitment he has shown in ferrying Dominic and others around the Keys. He said he knew it was going to be long hours, but I don’t think he knew how long.

A word of thanks, too, to Dom’s carer Marianne for her devotion to her charge. She has fitted in well, and maybe next time she will finally get the chance to get in the water.

Lastly, a special word of thanks to our volunteer instructors. I don’t want to single anyone out, because of the collective achievement of them all. We are always and forever in your debt.

Every time we do this, it just seems to get better and better. I know we are very lucky with the quality of the people who support us so generously. Thanks to them all, and see you in the Fall!